Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Sunday tried to soften his comments from Saturday night's GOP debate in South Carolina regarding Iraq and former President George W. Bush. Appearing on NBC's Meet The Press, the billionaire businessman attempted to draw a distinction between the unpopular war and Bush, suggesting that if he wins South Carolina, it means voters are likely rejecting the war in Iraq and not Bush.
"I think they're rejecting the war in Iraq. The war in Iraq is a disaster," Trump said, according to NBC News. "I have a great relationship with South Carolina and the people. I've known them for a long time, I've been there many times. I have great relationships there. They're very smart people. They understand that the war in Iraq is a disaster and was a disaster."
Trump added that the Iraq war was to nobody's benefit but Iran.
"It totally destabilized the Middle East," he said. "When you look at the migration, when you look at all of the things that are happening right now, it all started with the war in Iraq. And you know what? We got nothing. We have absolutely nothing. Iran is getting the whole deal."
Trump also challenged Meet The Press host Chuck Todd on the claim that he called Bush -- who is very popular in South Carolina -- a liar.
"I didn't call anyone a liar," he said, The Hill reported. "I saw maybe there were lies because look, here were weapons of mass destruction. They said they existed and they didn't exist. Now it was his group that said it, there were weapons of mass destruction."
At one of the more testy moments during Saturday night's GOP debate, Trump attacked Jeb Bush for his brother's decision to launch the Iraq war in 2003, calling it "a big, fat mistake."
"They lied -- they said there were weapons of mass destruction. And there were none," he added, according to ABC News. Trump's comments drew booing from the crowd because of the popularity the former president has in South Carolina.
That, however, may not have an impact on the final outcome in South Carolina. In recent polling, Trump goes into next week's primary with a lead that is more than double the points of his next closes rival. In an average of recent polls compiled by RealClear Politics, Trump has 37 percent support, while Cruz comes in second with 17 percent.
